Judaism in the 21st Century

Why does Sukkot come immediately after Yom Kippur, and what can an ancient harvest festival teach us about living today? Dr. Steven Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen explore Sukkot as a celebration of renewed connection, divine protection, and the recognition that God’s presence is not confined to the synagogue. It can be found in our homes, our backyards, our communities, and the natural world aroun...

What if your past mistakes did not have to define your future? In this episode of Judaism in the 21st Century , recorded just after sunrise on the shores of Long Island Sound, Dr. Steven Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen explore the deeper meaning of Yom Kippur and why it became Judaism’s ultimate day of forgiveness and renewal. The story begins with the Golden Calf and the remarkable moment when God...

Rosh HaShanah is more than the start of a new year. It is an invitation to begin again. In this episode of Judaism in the 21st Century , Dr. Steven Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen explore the deeper meaning of Rosh HaShanah as a time of renewal, reflection, and possibility. What does it mean to ask whether we are truly making good use of the gift of life? How do teshuvah, humility, forgiveness, and...

What makes travel Jewish? In this episode of Judaism in the 21st Century, Dr. Steven Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen begin with the 17th of Tammuz, the start of the Three Weeks, and the challenge of living in a fractured world. From there, the conversation turns toward travel, memory, and the difference between being a tourist and becoming a pilgrim. Can visiting places of Jewish history help us re...

In this week’s episode of Judaism in the 21st Century , Rabbi Daniel Cohen and Dr. Steven Labkoff reflect on July 4th, America’s 250th anniversary, and what the Star-Spangled Banner can teach us about resilience, memory, and hope. From Francis Scott Key looking for the flag in the darkness, to Rabbi Cohen’s grandmother seeing the Statue of Liberty as a young immigrant, this conversation explores h...

This week on Judaism in the 21st Century, Rabbi Daniel Cohen and Dr. Steven Labkoff explore the Jewish meaning of restfulness. What does it really mean to rest? In Judaism, rest is more than sleep or downtime. It is a chance to step back, reflect, recharge, and realign ourselves with what matters most. Through the lens of Shabbat, this conversation looks at how rest can rejuvenate not only the bod...

This week on Judaism in the 21st Century, Rabbi Daniel Cohen and Dr. Steven Labkoff explore how summer can become more than a season of busyness. It can become a time for intentionally creating memories that last. From family trips and walks without phones, to the power of being fully present with the people we love, this episode reminds us that life is not only measured in days, but in moments. T...

This week on Judaism in the 21st Century , Steve Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen talk about how summer can be more than a pause in the Jewish calendar. After the intensity of Pesach, the Omer, and Shavuot, the slower months before Rosh Hashanah can become a powerful opportunity for spiritual growth, renewed purpose, and deeper connection. Rabbi Cohen shares a practical “three-minute program” that a...

What if, one day, a chip could be implanted in your brain containing every Jewish text, every commentary, and every insight from every Torah scholar across history? Would that mean you had truly learned Torah? In this episode of Judaism in the 21st Century, Dr. Steven Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen explore a fascinating question at the intersection of Judaism, artificial intelligence, humility, an...

Artificial intelligence is no longer something “out there” in the future. It is already shaping how we write, learn, search, diagnose, decide, and even think. In this episode of Judaism in the 21st Century, Rabbi Daniel Cohen turns the tables and interviews Dr. Steven Labkoff about one of today’s most urgent ethical frontiers: AI. What exactly is artificial intelligence? How is it different from m...

In this episode of Jews in the 21st Century, Dr. Steven Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen explore a question that sits at the heart of modern Jewish life: when the world changes, should Judaism change with it, or should Judaism remain the compass that helps us navigate the changing world? Prompted by recent bar mitzvah services where Steven heard changes in familiar prayers, including the addition of...

A vision for the future of Jerusalem—and what it means for all of us. In this episode of Judaism in the 21st Century, Rabbi Cohen shares a deeply personal and forward-looking story: the creation of a new kind of community in Jerusalem—one rooted not in uniformity, but in openness, kindness, and shared purpose. What does it mean to build a synagogue not in our own image, but in God’s image? How can...

Is there a right way to disagree? In a world increasingly defined by division, this episode of Judaism in the 21st Century explores a timeless idea: argument as a path to truth—not conflict. Judaism doesn’t just tolerate disagreement—it elevates it. But only when it’s done for the right reasons. We unpack: • The difference between debate and division • “Arguments for the sake of heaven” vs. person...

What is prayer supposed to feel like… especially if it never quite “clicked”? In this deeply personal episode of Judaism in the 21st Century , Dr. Steven Labkoff opens up about a lifelong struggle with prayer. Despite years of study and exposure, the emotional and spiritual connection others describe has remained elusive. Rabbi Daniel Cohen responds with a powerful reframing: prayer is not about c...

In this powerful episode of Judaism in the 21st Century , Dr. Steven Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen explore the profound emotional and spiritual journey from Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut. Drawing on personal experiences in Israel, they reflect on the haunting stillness of the nationwide siren, when an entire country pauses to remember its fallen—and the deep sense of shared responsibility that m...

In this deeply moving conversation, Rabbi Daniel Cohen sits down with Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie Wiesel, following the film Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire . Together, they explore what it means not only to remember—but to carry memory forward as a moral responsibility. Elisha reflects on the private side of his father: a man who treated every individual with dignity, who listened deeply, and who lived...

In this deeply moving conversation, Rabbi Daniel Cohen sits down with Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie Wiesel, following the film Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire . Together, they explore what it means not only to remember—but to carry memory forward as a moral responsibility. Elisha reflects on the private side of his father: a man who treated every individual with dignity, who listened deeply, and who lived...

A vision for the future of Jerusalem—and what it means for all of us. In this episode of Judaism in the 21st Century, Rabbi Cohen shares a deeply personal and forward-looking story: the creation of a new kind of community in Jerusalem—one rooted not in uniformity, but in openness, kindness, and shared purpose. What does it mean to build a synagogue not in our own image, but in God’s image? How can...

In Part 2 of our Men’s Seder series, the conversation moves beyond the traditional Seder structure and into the deeper meaning behind Passover. We discuss the difference between physical freedom and inner freedom, why redemption is never a straight line, and how the story of Joseph reflects the ups and downs of both Jewish history and our own lives. We also explore the importance of family customs...

In this special episode of Judaism in the 21st Century, we bring you highlights from the annual Men’s Seder, where rabbis from across the community share short ideas and stories to help make your Passover Seder more meaningful. In this episode, you’ll hear insights about the power of small acts, why the Seder is meant to be experiential and memorable for children, the importance of empathy for tho...

With Passover just weeks away, Rabbi Daniel Cohen and Dr. Steven Labkoff discuss how the story of the Exodus can remain meaningful in modern life. The episode explores four themes that frame Rabbi Cohen’s upcoming Passover learning series: identifying our own “inner Egypt,” understanding why authentic personal growth unfolds over time, rediscovering awe and gratitude through the rituals of the Sed...

Can a machine ever have a soul? In Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Rabbi Dr. Mois Navon — philosopher, Torah scholar, and co-founder of Mobileye — we go deeper into one of the most unsettling questions of our time: What happens if AI becomes conscious? We explore the “hard problem of consciousness,” the difference between neural computation and lived experience, and whether building biolo...

Is AI just another tool — or are we entering a new era of moral responsibility? In this thought-provoking episode of Judaism in the 21st Century , Dr. Steven Labov and Rabbi Daniel Cohen welcome Rabbi Dr. Mois Navon — philosopher, educator, and tech pioneer — to explore how Jewish thought grapples with artificial intelligence. From Noah as the first engineer to the ethical challenges of ChatGPT, w...

In this episode of Judaism in the 21st Century, Dr. Steven Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen explore Purim through a lens that feels strikingly modern. Set against the backdrop of exile, comfort, and choice, they unpack a lesser-known dimension of the Purim story: the Jews of Persia had the opportunity to return to Israel and chose not to. What does that choice teach us about Jewish life in the Diasp...

In this timely episode of Judaism in the 21st Century, Steven Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen turn to the Purim story to ask a deeply modern question: what does it mean to find your Esther and your Mordechai today? Esther didn’t seek power, but when history placed her in a moment of consequence, she was pushed to act with courage, despite real personal risk. Mordechai’s challenge to her, “for such...